Education Minister Grace Grace and Cairns MP Michael Healy have today opened a refurbished prep building at Balaclava State School.
Ms Grace said the $1.3 million upgrade to the Prep A and Prep B classrooms had given the building a new lease on life.
"The preppies at Balaclava now have fresh facilities such as new reading nooks, open plan group-work learning spaces, data projectors and teacher preparation areas," Ms Grace said.
"It's wonderful to see first-hand how much this project means to the students, who now have more space to learn.
"The prep playground at Balaclava is also in the early stages of being upgraded, thanks to $85,000 part-funded by the school and the Palaszczuk Government.
"The kids will love the new equipment which features a slide, cargo rope, fire pole, rock face and roman monkey bars."
While at the school today, Ms Grace also launched the Every day counts readers.
Three books featuring content specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have been developed and distributed to 189 Queensland state schools including Balaclava.
"It was fantastic to sit down and read the books with some year 3 kids at Balaclava State School today," Ms Grace said.
"The books encourage students in years 4 to 9 to engage with reading, giving them a great start to life.
"They've been designed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and not only support literacy but reinforce the Every day counts school attendance message.
"We are also fortunate to have Johnathan Thurston and Sam Thaiday involved in this important campaign."
Mr Healy said he was happy to see the readers making a difference to students in his electorate.
"A limited number of these books were sent to state schools with a high Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student population, including over 30 schools in Far North Queensland and three schools in my electorate," he said.
"These kinds of resources go a long way towards setting our students up for a bright future.
"I'm always proud to show the Minister the great work happening in local Cairns schools."
Balaclava State School Principal Cindy Hales said the Indigenous focus of the readers was particularly relevant to schools like Balaclava, with a 62 per cent Indigenous student population.
"Our students are enjoying the stories, and we actively seek resources that make cultural connections for our students," she said.
"The Every day counts message is an essential one, as we strive to have all of our students engaging in every lesson and attending every day."
Downloadable versions of the readers are available from the website: www.qld.gov.au/everydaycounts.
